Two Arrested, Gun Recovered from Atlantic City Traffic Stop

A motor vehicle stop in Atlantic City led to the arrest of a man trying to conceal a loaded handgun under his seat.

Atlantic City Police say they stopped a vehicle around lunchtime Friday in the 1400 block of Magellan Avenue. Cops say they observed the driver, identified as Carlos Mendez, make two motor vehicle infractions.

In a press release, cops described what happened...

As Detective Abrams approached the vehicle, he observed the front passenger, Djza Chase, continue to lean forward until Abrams got up to the vehicle. As Detective Abrams began to speak with Mendez, he could smell raw, unburnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. He obtained Mendez’s information and backed away from the vehicle awaiting other officers. As he did, Chase continued to lean forward again.

Once back-up officers arrived, the three occupants of the vehicle were removed. Detective Abrams recovered the bag at Chase’s feet which contained his personal items and a loaded handgun with hollow-point ammunition. Chase was placed in custody. The rear passenger, Khamil Newsome, was arrested for an active warrant and was in possession of marijuana.

22-year-old Djza Chase of Atlantic City was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point ammunition, and certain person not to possess a weapon. 26-year-old Khamil Newsome from Atlantic City was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and active warrant. Both Chase and Newsome were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility; the driver was issued motor vehicle summons and released.